In order to build confidence in cloud adoption, the Singapore government has launched a new cloud security standard to provide greater clarity on levels of security offered by cloud service providers, said Steve Leonard, Executive Deputy Chairman, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore this morning (13 November).

Dubbed the Multi-Tier Cloud Security Standard for Singapore (MTCS), the new standard is aimed at spurring the adoption of cloud.

MTCS, the first cloud security standard that covers multiple tiers, will be able to better spell out the levels of security that cloud service providers can offer to users.

“Cloud relies on security and trust. While the adoption of cloud is accelerating, security is becoming the number one concern,” he said.

MTS has three different tiers of security with ‘Tier 1’ being the base level and ‘Tier 3’ being the most stringent.

“Going forward, government-related cloud procurement will be expecting one of these standards to be achieved,” added Leonard.

Data plays a significant role in Singapore’s aspiration to be a smart nation, he continued. Volume, velocity and value of information are three key areas when thinking about data.

He cited an example of a big health initiative IDA is working on with Ministry of Health. The country is facing an increasingly ageing population and a rise in chronic diseases. Data can be collected using flexible and lightweight sensors that can help reduce strain on the health infrastructure and improve quality of life.

Leonard concluded with a call to action to build up local technology, good use cases, train local talents, as Singapore moves towards becoming a smart nation.

In order to build confidence in cloud adoption the Singapore government has launched a new cloud security standard to provide greater clarity on levels of security offered by cloud service providers said Steve Leonard Executive Deputy Chairman Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore this morning 13 November